Economic liberalisation of the economy, initiated in the early 1990s, within India has opened new opportunities to the aspiring Indian population. Inclusiveness and fairness of distribution of these opportunities have been a major topic of discussion and available evidence suggests that there has been an increase in inequality after liberalisation.

In this paper, we first establish the current economic status of women by analysing employment opportunities available to them by reviewing relevant literature. Labour force participation as well as wages for men are double than labour force participation and wages for women. A large section of the female labour force is in unorganised sectors such as agriculture. Within organised sector, we are far behind in having women in leadership or entrepreneurial roles

The objective of this paper is developing a better understanding of the social factors contributing toward economic inequality of women. One of the major factors identified is the gender role assigned to women in Indian society. Gender role for a woman in an Indian family is that of a daughter, a wife or a mother; always in relation to a man and without any independent existence.

Finally, policy initiatives are reviewed in terms of their efficacy in correcting gender roles assigned to women. This research paper is based on secondary research data.